Seven in ten Californians’ expect bad economic times in the state over the next year, according to PPIC’s November survey, which explores views on the economy, personal finances, and more. Recently, PPIC researcher Dean Bonner presented key findings from the survey and answered audience questions.

Bonner noted that economic pessimism has increased 12 percentage points—to 68%— since December of last year, when 56% of Californians expected bad economic times. While most Californians describe their personal finances as comfortable (38%) or adequate (43%), about two in ten say their current financial situation is “stressed” (14%) or “falling behind” (5%).

A sizable share of Californians are experiencing economic insecurity. Three in ten say their household has cut back on food to save money in the last year, with Latinos, African Americans, women, and younger Californians the most likely to say this. More than two in ten have experienced reduced hours or pay (23%), put off receiving medical care (22%), or been unable to pay a monthly bill (21%). Meanwhile, one in four say they worry every day or almost every day about the cost of housing and the amount of debt they have.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has a growing impact on Californians’ work lives: 14% of employed adults say they use AI at work at least once a day, and another 9% say they use it several times a week. While half of employed Californians think AI will decrease the number of jobs in their industry, another 40% believe it won’t have an effect. “Across regions, at least half in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Orange/San Diego say it will decrease the number of jobs, compared to about four in ten who hold this view in the Central Valley and Inland Empire,” said Bonner.

The dismal view of the economy coincides with low levels of political trust. Eighty percent of Californians today say that elected officials don’t care what people like them think, a stark increase from 55% when PPIC last asked this question in 2000. Bonner remarked that these findings align with recent surveys showing that Californians are “extremely distrustful” of both the state government and the federal government.

However, when asked about ways to improve the economic well-being of Californians, there was widespread support for a variety of policies. Overwhelming majorities favor a public health care option and more funding for job training. Over seven in ten also support increasing funding for child care programs and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. Bonner noted that overall support for these policies has been remarkably stable over time.